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CHAPTER – 2 PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA

2.1 GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY OF THE

STUDY AREA

Kangra district derives its name from Kangra town, which was

called Nagarkot in the ancient times. Kangra proper originally was a part

of the ancient Trigartha ( the present Jalandhar) , which comprises of the

area lying between the river "Shatadroo" (Sutlej) and Ravi. A tract of

land to the east of Sutlej, which probably is the area of Sirhind in

Punjab, also formed a part of Trigratha. Trigratha had two provinces;

one in the plains with headquarters at J alandhar and other in the hills

with headquarters at Nagrkot (the present Kangra) (Punjab District

Gazetteer, 1926). The term ‘Trigartha’ seems to have a physio graphical

connotation. It conveys that the land was watched by the three rivers:

Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. This area roughly corresponds to the present day

districts of Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar and Kapurthala

in Punjab; Bilaspur, kangra and Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. All these

districts together may have formed the kingdom of Trigartha which also

at times is mentioned as the kingdom of Jalandhar (Jha and Garg,

1991).

In the time of Harsha, the famous Chinese pilgrim Huien Tsiang

visited Jullundur in March 635 A.D. and in his writings he has referred

to the principality of Jullundur ( the present Jalandhar) situated towards

the north- east of China-Po-ti (China Bhakti) and towards the south

east of Kiu-lo-to (Kullu). From the history of Kas hmir given in the

Rajtirangini, Raja Shanker Verma (883 to 903 A.D.) of Kashmir held

suzerainty over Prithi Chand of Trigartha.

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In the beginning of 11th century, Mahmood of Ghazni, after defeating

the Hindu king at Lahore invaded Nagarkot. Mahmood satisfied his lust for

wealth by carrying away, enormous wealth of gold and silver from the fort and

temple of Kangra on camel backs. One lbrahim of Ghazni conquered this

territory from the Katoch King Jagdeo Chander in 1070 A.D. In 1337, Mohd.

Tuglak, an Afghan king of Delhi, captured the fort at Kangra in the reign of

Raja Priti Chand. In 1351, however, Raja Purab Chand recaptured the fort

from the Muslims. Sher Shah Suri, the Afghan king, who turned out

Humayun from India, also captured Kangra in 1 540. By 1555, the

Muslim influence again declined. Kangra was ruled by Raja Bidi Chand

during the reign of great Mughal king . Akbar however, subjugated the

entire hill Rajas. Occasionally the hill rajas rebelled against the imperial

authorities, but after a few skirmishes with the Mughal Generals, they

submitted and renewed their pledges of loyalty (Mian, 1988).

In 1752, the weak Mughal rulers of Delhi transferred Punjab to

Ahmed Shah Durani. The Afghans could not successfully control these

far flung areas from Kabul. In 1758, Raja Ghamand Chand was

appointed Nazim or Governor of Jullundur Doaba under the Afghans

(Ahluwalia, 1988).

After his death in 1775 Kangra saw the rise of another great ruler

Sansar Chand (II). Raja Sansar Chand had an ambition to recapture the

fort and in 1781, he called to his aid Sardar Jai Singh of Kanhaya Misal.

The Mughal officer surrendered the fort . After getting the fort, Sansar

Chand revived the tradition and laid a claim to supremacy over all the

principalities and hill states of the Jullundur Circle. For full twenty years

he reigned supreme over all the hill states of Kangra, Mandi, Kullu and

Chamba. However, reckless bravery and unlimited ambition of this

great Raja ultimately ruined him . It was in the beginning of 19 th century

when Gurkhas dominated the state of Kangra and unserped much of its

59

territory (Jerath, 1995). In 1806, with the help of the hill chiefs, the

Gurkhas defeated Raja Sansar Chand who had to take refuge inside

the fort. Sansar Chand's son, Anirudh Chand succeeded his father in

1823 but he was not destined to rule for a long time. Raja Dhian Singh,

the Dogra chief of Jammu, led an expedition against him. Anirudh

Chand had to flee and Sikhs occupied the entire state of Kangra.

After the first battle of Sikhs in March 1846, the territory of Punjab

lying between the Sutlej and Ravi rivers, including the hill states of

Kangra proper and Kullu were ceded to British Government. The

headquarters of district was transferred to Dharmshala because that

place was considered cooler and healthier for the British officers and

also the slopes of Dhauladhar provided ample room to accommodate in

a newly raised local contingent for the army (Balokhara, 1997) .

At the time of creation of, Himachal Pradesh Kangra dist rict was

the largest district. On the re-organisation of composite Punjab on the

1st November, 1966 the area constituting Kangra district were

transferred to Himachal Pradesh along with the districts of Shimla, Kullu

and Lahaul and Spiti and tehsils of Un a and Nalagarh and 3 villages of

Gurdaspur district. Kangra district with its present administrative set up

came into existence on the 1 st September 1972 consequent upon the re -

organisation of districts by the Government of Himachal Pradesh.

From administrative point of view the district has been divided

into eight sub-divisions viz., Dharamsala, Palampur, Baijnath, Kangra,

Nurpur, Jawali, Dehra and Jaisinghpur . It has fourteen developmental

blocks, viz. Baijnath, Bhawarna, Lambagaon, Panchrukhi, Kangra,

Nagrota Bagwan, Rait, Dehra, Pragpur, Nagrota Surian, Nurpur, Indora,

Fatehpur and Sulah at Bhedoo Mahadev. The district with respect to

revenue control has been divided into fifteen tehsils and three sub -

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tehsils. There are 708 Gram Panchayats and 3889 villages (3,620

inhabited and 269 uninhabited ). Kangra valley has eight towns, viz.

Kangra (Municipal Committee), Nagrota Bagwan (Notified area

Committee), Nurpur (Municipal Committee), Dharamsala (Municipal

Committee), Palampur (Municipal Committee), Dehragopi pur (Notified

Area committee), Jawalamukhi (Notified area Committee) and Yol

(Cantonment Board).

2.2. PHYSIOGRAPHY

Kangra valley falls in Kangra district which lies in the Shivalik and

lesser Himalayan zone and its topography is well defined by a series of

almost parallel hill ranges which rise in height towards northeast. The

district is criss-crossed by mountain ranges and enclosed valleys. The

ranges are snow covered during most part of the year. The altitude

generally varies from 500 metres to over 5,500 metres from the mean

sea level. Dhauladhar is the most important range of the district with

stretched out beautiful and fertile valleys of Palampur and Kangra. The

average elevation of the valley is about 600 metres above the sea

(Bruce, 1910). The southern aspect of the Dhauladhar, facing Kangra

valley, is steep and precipitous, rising almost perpendicularly from the

low ranges of its base. The northern aspect of the Dhauladhar facing

Chamba is stubbed with Alpine pastures (Randhawa, 1974).

Dhauladhar range starts from the right bank of the river Beas and and

forms boundary of the district with Kullu district at a distant point below

Sarui Pass. Thereafter, the range passes through Banghal area above

Kangra and Palampur valley covering Bara Bang hal ridge, which is

about 6,000 metres high from the mean sea level and thereafter runs

parallel to another mountain range known as Hathidhar which forms

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boundary between Chamba and Kangra districts of the state (Punjab

District Gazetteer, 1904) . The Paprola range shuts out Bir Banghal from

Kangra valley and this range after crossing Binwa stream at Paprola

runs on to Mandi where it acquires the name of Sikandar Dhar. Kangra

valley and the valley stretching from Shahpur on the banks of the river

Ravi to Dhatwal on the border of Bilaspur falls in this zone. Slope and

aspect of an area are vital para meters that decide the land use pattern

of the area and vegetation. Magnitude and direction of slopes

developed in the district are the net results of tectonic act ivities and

drainage patterns prevailed in the area over the years. The slope in the

district varies from almost flat to highly steep (Balokhara, 1997).

Based on topography, precipitation, soil and temperature etc. ,

Kangra district comprises of four distin ct regions viz. High hills wet sub

temperate region, Valley region, Chan gar region and Shiwalik foot -hill

region, Bara Bhangal and Chhota Bhangal area in Pir Panjal ranges

constitute the wet sub -temperate hilly region which starts from the inter

district boundaries of Kullu, Chamba and Mandi on the northern most

end of the district. Valley region of Kangra district comprises of three

valley areas viz. Palam, Kangra and Nurpur. Palam valley includes

areas enclosed within the boundary starting from Ghatta – Baijnath -

Chobin – Agojar – Pahra – Dheera – Darang – Jia – Uttrala - Deol and

Ghatta. Kangra valley includes area surrounded by Malan - Yol. Cantt –

Dharamshala – Bhanala – Tiara – Kangra and Malan village

boundaries. Nurpur valley located in the southwest ern foothills touches

Punjab (Plate No. 2.1). The area abounds Bodh – Nagawari – Hagwal –

Kandrori – Ray – Jawali - Jonta and Bodh.

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PLATE NO. 2.1

VIEW OF KANGRA VALLE Y FROM DARI, DHARAMS HALA

Changar region of the district comprises of the areas f alling

between valleys extending up to Bias Basin and including areas such as

Bhuana, Tinbar, Bhullana, Dagoh and Jaisinghpur etc. of Rajgir

constituency. Shiwalik foothill region includes area of Pragpur block

starting from Dhaliara and passing through Sansarpur Terrace -

Bharwain – Chalali – Chamukha – Kuhna – Dadaseeba and Sansarpur

Terrace. The rock facies seen in the study area are shale, clay and

sand stone of Shivalik group . Green shales and fossils rich limestones

of Sabthu formation, gneissic and g ranatic rocks of Dhauladhar group.

Slate phyllites, schists, quartzites, basic lava flows and dolomites

belong to Jutogh and Sunder Nagar formation.

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2.3 CLIMATE

Kangra valley is alluvium filled erosional and tectonic valley.

Because of the considerable width the valley is free from a closed o r

shut in location and have more pleasant climate than the narrower

valleys. Climate of the valley can be divided into four broad seasons.

The winter generally spreads over from December to February. The

period from March to June is summer. Hot and rainy season is

experienced from July to September. October and November exhibit

autumn. While the places at high altitudes are covered with deep snow

during the winter months, the lower areas get rains. The temp erature

during the winter months even in the lower areas is too cold because of

the lashing cold breeze of the mountain ranges of Dhauladhar and Hathi

Dhar. Indora block of Kangra district falls in sub -humid sub-tropical zone

where annual precipitation is about 1000 mm and mean temperature of

about 24 degree Celsius, Dehragopipur and Nurpur blocks fall under

humid sub-tropical zone where the annual rainfall is between 900 -2350

mm and mean temperature about 20 0 to 240 Celsius. Palampur and

Dharamsala fall under wet temperate zone where the temperature

ranges from 150 to 190 Celsius and annual rainfall is about 2500 mm .

Other parts of the Kangra district fall under hill area where the mean

annual temperature varies from 13 0 to 200 Celsius and annual rainfall is

1800- 3000 mm. Kangra valley (Dharamshala) receives second highest

rainfall per annum. The weather is alpine summers are mild and winters

are cold (Singh, 2001).

2.4. DRAINAGE

The Kangra valley , the valley of the river Beas and its numerous

tributaries is known for the mellow beauty of its landscape, its low hills

and valley studded with charming hamlets. The terraced fields studded

with charming hamlets. The terraced fields with wave like embankments

run numerous snow-fed rivulets with pure spar kling water (Randhawa,

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1974). Major parts of Kangra valley fall within the drainage basins of

Beas which is the principle river of the kangra district. The river rises

from the Pir Panjal range near Rohtang pass at a height of over 4,000

metres from mean sea level. After flowing through Kullu and Mandi

districts Beas enters Kangra district at Sanghol and leaves it near

Mirthal. Binwa, Neugal, Banganga, Gaj, Dehr and Chakki are important

tributaries of Beas from North side. Binwa stream rises in the hills ab ove

Baijnath and after receiving the water of Awa and some minor effluents

joins the river above Sanghol. Ne ugal stream which is the prime stream

flowing from Palampur t ehsil discharges itself into the river opposite Tira

Sujanpur area of Hamirpur District . Ban Ganga stream flows through

Kangra and Dehr near Kotla region of Nurpur tehsil. The Awa and

Neogal streams can be said as the lifeline of the Palampur valley.

During the monsoon season, these swell and rage madly over the entire

width of the chasm tak ing stones and boulders along with it (Singh and

Singh, 2001).

2.5. VEGETATION

This valley is rich in flora. The following various species of plants

and forest trees are generally found in Kangra valley. In Kangra valley

the lower slopes of the Dhauladhar are covered with forests of the pine

rise in rugged grandeur covered by snow or shoot up in pinnacles of

base granite, which are too steep for the snow to rest on (Randhawa,

1974). These consist of scrub forest at low elevation to Alpine pasture s

at higher altitude, with the forests of chir, ban oak mixed conifers (kail,

spruce and fur) and kharsu oak forests in middle altitude.

Forest area of 2,76,840 hectares (1999 -2000) can be classified

into seven main groups ; 1) Miscellaneous Sc rub forest (Khair, Kachnar,

Siris etc.) 600-1200 mts. 2) Chir forests, 800-1700 mts. 3) Ban oak

forests, 1600-2300 mts. 4) Deodar forest (Dharamkot and Mcleodganj

area) 2000-2500 mts. 5) Mixed conifers , 2100-3000 mts .6) Kharsu oak

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forest (Kharsu oak and R hododendron), 2300-3800 mts .7) Alpine scrub

and alpine pastures , above 3800 mts. Further, these forests have been

classified into six classes based on management practices . These are

reserved forests 7,415 hectares, Demarcated protected forests 54,754

hectares, Un-Demarcated protected forests 1 , 65,220 hectares, Un

Classed forests 44,295 hectares, Private forests managed under

section 38 of IFA 985 hectares and Forest managed under LPA 4,171

hectares (Randhawa, 1962 and Balokhara, 1997). The important

vegetation species in the form of trees, scrubs and grasses are given

under-

Trees found in Kangra valley are - Acacia catetchu (Khair),

Bauhinia variegata (Kachnar/Karal), Syzygium cumini Eugenis

jambolane (Jamun), Diospyross tomentosa ( Kinnu), Cordia dicholama

(Lassura), Celtis australis ( Khirk), Morus alba (Toot), Ficus religiosa

(Peepal), Ficus pslmata (Dhoora), Ficus hemoralis ( Doodhla), Pinus

pongifolia (Cheel), Gewia opppositifolia ( Biul),Ficus bengalensis (Bar,

Bargad), Dalbergia sissoo (Sheesham, Tahli), Pyrus pashia (Kainth),

Ceolrela toona (Tuni), Bombax malabarioum ( Simbal), Magnifera indica

(Amb, Am), Albizzia stipulata (Oei), Prunus sp (persica / Pajja),

Salmalia malabericum ( Simble), Pyrus lanata (Toony), Nerium odorun

(Ghaneera) and Jatropha curcas (Jablota) ( Rao, 1978).

Shrubs found in the study area are - Urtica dioica (Bichho Booti),

Principia utilis (Bhekhal), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Rubus biflorus (Lal

Akha), Dodonala viscose, R. peniculatus (Peela Akhe), Camellia thea

(Tea), Murraya koeingii (Gandhala), Zizyphus mauritiana ( Ber), Vitex

nigundu (Banna), Lantana camera (Bara Phulunoo/Panch Phoolli),

Agave americana (Ram Ban), Berberis lycium (Kasmal), Duranta spp.

(Neel Kanta) and Viole canascence (Banaksha).

Climber’s grasses found in the study area (with Botanical name and

Common name) are - Chrysopogon montanus (Dholoo), Hetropogon

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contortus (Lamloo), Thameda authera (Lunji), Eulaliopsis binata

(Baggar, Bhabhew Grass), Bothriochloa pertusa (Makora), Brachiaria

mutica (Para grass), Cyno done dactylon (Khabbal, Doob), Plantago

tibetica (Isabgol) (Mian,1988).

2.6. FAUNA

The valley is rich in animals and birds, which include some of the

rare species. The animals found in the district are - Felis bengalensis

Leopard (Cat, Mirag, Bagh), Felis Chane (Jungle Cat Jangli Billi),

Muntucus muntisk (Barking Dear, Kakkar), Macaca mulatta (Ressus,

monkey, Lal Bandar), Sus sacrofa (Boar Suar), Hystrix indica

(Porcupine Sehl), Sehru (farru), Hylopetes fimbriatus ( Flying squirre),

Panthera pardus (Leopard Cheetah) and Paradoxurus hermaphroditus

(Indian Civet Sakralu) ( Singh, 2001).

Birds in Kangra valley are - Milvus migrants (Vulture Cheel,

Gidh, Eell), Eudynamys scolopacca (Koel Koel), Payo crisslatus

(Peacock Mor), Coturnix colurnix (Common quail Bater), Alectoris

graeca (Chakor Chakor), Crovus splendens (Crow Kanwa), Prottacula

Karneri ( Parrot Totta), Pied (Kathfowra Woodpecker), Streptopelia

decaocto ( Ring dove Gughi), Parus rufonuchalis (Tits), Drycocopus

javensis (Woodpecker), Acidotheres tristis (Common Myna Ghatari),

Terpsiphone paradisi ( Paradise flycatcher Choti -pinja) and Passer

domesticus ( House sparrow) ( Rao, 1978).

2.7. DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERSTICS

Predominant population of the district comprises of Hindu s

followed by Muslims, Buddhists and Sikhs. Christians and Jains

constitute the negligible proportion of the population. The Hindus mostly

comprises of Rajputs, Brahmins and Scheduled Cast. The main Rajput

castes in the valley are Katoch, Pathania, Dogra, Jasrotia, Jaswal,

67

Jamwal, Katwal, Guleria, Mian, Thakur, Rana, and Rathi etc. The

Rajputs are well known in the history for displaying their valour and

fighting qualities. The Rajput of high cas te never gave their daughters in

marriage to those belonging to lower ones. The Brahamin generally

acted as priest and religious devotees. During the early period they

occupied important position in royal courts as well as in the religious life

of the people. The Brahmins are also composed of various classes/

groups. Those belonging to high class generally act as priest where as

the lower class Brahmins apart from their religious function also ploughs

their fields. Still lower in hierarchy are Acharj and Ghirath. The

matrimonial alliances of the Brahamin of different classes are restricted

to their own class/group (Mian, 1988).

Apart from these, the caste Hindus also constitute communities

like Sood, Khatri, Mahajan, Walia, etc; who are mainly engaged in

business activities. The scheduled castes comprises of Bhangi, Barad,

Chamar, Chhimbe, Dumne, Julahe, Lohar, Sanhai, Teli etc. Matrimonial

alliances of Schedule Caste are also restricted to their own

community. The schedule castes are still backward in the Kangra valley.

In villages, people of the different castes live in the different groups in

the form of scattered settlements. The scheduled Tribes population is

negligible in district. Gaddi and Gujars two tribal communities have lost

their Scheduled Tribes status in district because of area restriction.

Gaddis belonging to the Chamba area and settled in the Kangra valley

have been given the status of Schedule Tribe recently. Gaddi tribe, a

tribe of pastoral semi -nomads spend three quarters of every year out

herding sheep. The other great tribe of professi onal herdsmen in the

valley is a Mohammedan tribe named Gujars (Bruce, 1910). The term

Gaddi is generic and includes people from all castes such as the

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Brahmins, the Rajputs, the Khatris and the Harijans. The traditional

belief is that Gaddi’s migrated fr om Lahore to valley during the reign of

Aurangzeb when proselytism to Islam was at height. They refused to

accept Islam, opted to leave their hearths and homes for good and took

refuge in the forests of the Dhauladhar range of Chamba (Randhawa,

1974).

The native people of Kangra are the Kangri people and the

native language is Kangri, which is very similar to Punjabi. The majority

of the people are Hindu, although many Tibetan people who follow

Buddhism have also settled here recently. The main areas having

Buddhist settlement are McLeodGanj of Dharamshala,Tashijong and Bir

of Baijnath, and Tilokpur of Kotla tehsil. Majority of the people in the

district speak Kangri or Pahari.

According to the classification of languages, made by the

Linguistic survey of India, Kangri have been shown as one of the

several dialect grouped under Western Pahari. Under the sub -group

Western Pahari are included a nu mber of dialects spoken in the hilly

areas stretched from Bhadarwah and Chamba on the northwest to

Sirmaur on the southeast ( Census of India 1961). Beside Kangri, Dogri

is being spoken by a fraction of population who has social links with

Jammu region and the people living in the areas bordering Chamba

district speak Gaddi dialect. Hindi is the official language of the district.

Table No. 2.1 show s the population details of Kangra valley as

per 2001 census. The total population of Kangra District is 13, 39,030.

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TABLE NO 2.1

KANGRA DISTRICT TOTAL POPULATION - 13,39,030

(2001 Census)

Male Population 49.38 per cent

Female Population 50.62 per cent

Rural Population 94.60 per cent

Urban Population 5.40 per cent

Population (0-6) 12.28 per cent

S.C. Population 0.71 per cent

S.T. Population .11 per cent

Sex Ratio 1025 Females per 1000 males.

Density of Population 233 per sq km

Birth and Death Rates 22.1 and 7.7 Per 1000

Source: Census of India, Paper I, 2001.

2.8. ECONOMIC CHARACTERSTICS

The main occupation of the people of study area is agriculture.

The agro climatic conditions of the valley are most suitable for growing

the food crops such as wheat, rice, maize, oil seeds, tea and potato.

Tea and potato are the main cas h crops. Tea plantation provides

employment to 2000 people of the valley directly. People are also

engaged in horticulture, sericulture, apiculture and fisheries. In the

70

Kangra valley the fruits are generally tropical due to low elevation and

higher temperature. The important fruit trees are mangoes, oranges,

Litchis, guavas and bananas. These are also a source of income to

people of the valley (Ahmed , 1992).

The valley is predominantly agrarian and around 82 per cent of

its population depends on agricultu re and its allied activities for their

livelihood. Soil in the district varies from sandy loam to clay. The spring

crops are called Rabi or Harri. This crop is sown before the onset of

winter and the harvesting is completed in the month of April -May. The

popular Rabi crops are wheat, barley, gram and oil seeds (linseed).

Wheat and barley are the principal crops. Kharif crops sown before the

onset of monsoon and is ready for harvesting in September -October.

Forests comprise of 2. 76 Lakh hectare areas whereas cultivable waste

and fallow land constitute 0.68 Lakh hectares .

Some portion of the population is also engaged in the tertiary

sector and serving throughout the state and country. Large number of

people has joined army. Kangra valley is also rich in Hydroelectricity

potential and Binwa hydel project (16 mw.) near Baijnath and Neugal

and Baner projects with installed capacity of 18mw are generating

electricity. The number of small -scale industries in the Kangra district is

7284. The major industrial estates are in Kangra, Dehra and Jawali.

Nagrota Bagwan, Sansarpur Terrace and Dhaliara are being developed

as Industrial areas. Electronic complex has been developed at Nagrota

Bagwan.